Modular two-sided grill

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application 61/671,669, filed on Jul. 13, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to two-sided grills. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to two-sided grills that are separable into two or more sub-units or modules.

2. Description of the Related Art

In currently available two-sided grills, there is one, common lower grill plate for cooking the food product. This one grill plate will hold food products for several upper platens, limiting the ability of the grill to cook different products requiring different lower grill temperatures. The present disclosure addresses this need.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides a grill comprising one or more sub-units, each of the sub-units having an associated upper platen and lower grill surface where a food product is cooked. The sub-units are removably connected to one another. When the sub-units are connected to one another to form the grill, there can be a space or gap between adjacent sub-units.

Thus, in one embodiment the present disclosure provides a grill assembly comprising a plurality of sub-unit grills removably connected to one another. Each of the sub-unit grills comprises an associated upper platen and a lower grill surface, so that a food product can be cooked on said lower grill surface between the two. Each of the sub-unit grills also comprises an independent control system associated therewith, so that the amount of energy supplied to an upper platen and a lower grill surface of a first sub-unit can be controlled independently of other sub-units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a top, perspective view of an assembled grill of the present disclosure; and

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is an exploded view of the grill of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>, grill <b>10</b> of the present disclosure is shown. Grill <b>10</b> can be sectioned off into a plurality of sections or modular sub-units <b>15</b>. Each of sub-units <b>15</b> has an upper platen <b>20</b> and a lower grill surface <b>30</b>. Sub-units <b>15</b> are removably connected to one another along a generally vertical axis, where platens <b>20</b> and surfaces <b>30</b> extend along a generally horizontal axis.

The width of each lower grill surface <b>30</b> of each of sub-units <b>15</b> approximately matches the width of the corresponding upper platen <b>20</b>. When sub-units <b>15</b> are connected together in grill <b>10</b>, each of the lower grill surfaces <b>30</b> and upper platens <b>20</b> can be at approximately the same level or height, as they would be in a grill with a unitary or singular grill surface. This makes it easy for an operator to use work with each of sub-units <b>15</b> simultaneously.

Each of sub-units <b>15</b> is separable from grill <b>10</b> as a whole. This improvement over currently available grills allows for the separation of products cooked on adjacent sub-units <b>15</b>. In addition, when sub-units <b>15</b> are assembled together into grill <b>10</b>, they can be separated from adjacent sub-units <b>15</b> by a space large enough to incorporate grease containers <b>18</b> between each of sub-units <b>15</b>. This allows for the grease to be collected or removed from one of sub-units <b>15</b> without affecting an adjacent sub-unit <b>15</b>.

Thus, grill <b>10</b> provides several advantages over currently available grills. The power management and load control of grill <b>10</b> are enhanced, since each of sub-units <b>15</b> can be set to its own lower grill plate temperature without affecting adjacent sub-units <b>15</b>. The platen <b>20</b> and grill surface <b>30</b> of each unit <b>15</b> can be set to the same or different temperatures for cooking different products, which increases flexibility in menu offerings. Each of sub-units <b>15</b> can be turned off when not needed, or set to a reduced temperature, saving energy. The separation of one grill surface, as currently available, to separate grill surfaces <b>30</b> in sub-units <b>15</b> eliminates cross-contamination of different types of foods. The modular design of grill <b>10</b> also allows for easier shipping and servicing of grill <b>10</b>. Sub-units <b>15</b> can be serviced individually, as opposed to having to service a larger grill surface. Sub-units <b>15</b> can also be shipped separately and assembled into the grill <b>10</b> in the space where they are to be used, as opposed to having to ship one large grill as a single unit. This allows for an easier installation on site, as sub-units <b>15</b> will typically be small enough to fit through standard size doorways.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure.